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Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

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Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#371

Post by voisin »

hangonhn wrote: post #219
supahfly_remix wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Get a CGM for two weeks and find out what foods spike your blood sugar the most Are you in the US, and is it possible to obtain a CGM without a prescription?

Yes! Abbott Lingo (iPhone only for now) and Dexcom Stelo. They go for about $45 per sensor that last for 2 weeks. I second the OP's suggestion. It's completely changed my eating habits.

How does the Stelo compare to the G7?

Do you have any tips for how to start with one and systematically get the most insight out of it?

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#372

Post by voisin »

laweijfmvo wrote: post #222
supahfly_remix wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Get a CGM for two weeks and find out what foods spike your blood sugar the most Are you in the US, and is it possible to obtain a CGM without a prescription?

Dexcom Stelo is $100 for two, OTC

I asked in a sibling comment but thought I’d ask here too: how does the Stelo compare to the G7? And do you have any advice on how to start with one and systematically get the best insight out of it?

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#373

Post by andrewstuart »

technothrasher wrote: post #367
andrewstuart wrote: post #319

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Careful, many vintage clocks are radioactive.

I haven't done any work with radium dialed clocks and/or watches... yet.

A friend of mine had many hundreds of vintage clocks and he filled his bedroom with them on shelves and put his bed in the middle.

Until I pointed out they were radioactive.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#374

Post by richardjs »

quard8 wrote: post #276
richardjs wrote: post #196

Under $1000: Voice lessons at the local community school of music. I'm a lifelong musician, but was an almost entirely solitary one. I taught myself different instruments, but I never felt like I could get to basic competency teaching myself to sing. I decided to spend ~$200 for a semester of weekly 30 minute lessons. (The community school cooperates with the local university to offer lessons taught by university stu…

If I have a horrible voice for singing, do you recommend voice lessons? Just for karaoke and fun.

If you'd like to improve, definitely! There are all sorts of things involved in singing that some do naturally and others (like myself) do not. Having a knowledgeable teacher who's able to observe you, identify areas of improvement, and help you progress is really beneficial. There's a whole lot of "not knowing what you don't know" at play.

Plus singing is a pretty personal way of making music, and there can be a lot of social fear of doing it badly. Formally studying it can help with getting over the psychological hump from self-identifying as "someone who is attempting to sing" to "singer".

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#375

Post by dangus »

miloignis wrote: post #29

Under $100: 1) A bidet! Got one in the pandemic when toilet paper was scarce and I wanted to be more efficient, but now I'll never go back. The Tushy ones are good. 2) A safety razor & accessories. I get a cheaper, closer, less irritating shave, and I get to customize every part of it. This can certainly be a rabbithole you spend a lot of money on, but you can get a solid customized starter kit for under $100 that wi…

I would asterisk the bidet suggestion just to say that higher end bidet seats that cost starting around $400 are wildly better the cheap ones, especially the unseated ones.

I’ve bought the cheap kind, got tired of it and tossed it, then years later went with a more expensive Toto (around $400) and it’s like a completely different experience.

The Toto keeps itself and the toilet cleaner for longer, it has options for gentle spray and oscillating movement, it’s entirely controlled by electronic remote rather than a crude manual knob, the water and seat are heated, it detects when you are sitting down and operates accordingly, and it even has a warm air dryer.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#376

Post by alpaca128 »

7373737373 wrote: post #321
andrewstuart wrote: post #313

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> - a non-stick pan (Tefal) - I threw out all my non stick surface pots and pans and all plastic kitchen implements because I don’t want chemicals or plastics in my food. Replaces everything with stainless steel.

I've encountered many conflicting opinions about this topic (of course sellers will say it's perfectly safe and health advisors/bloggers the opposite), so i'd really like to see some well-sourced neutral information on this Polymer fumes do seem to be a thing at high temperatures apparently https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nonstick-cookware-safet... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_fume_fever

In our household the by far oldest pan is made of glass. It's also the only one that still looks like new despite having been used for 25+ years. It isn't non-stick but it also doesn't scratch just from looking at it.

In terms of health, I'm not sure either but you should never use non-stick pans if you have pet birds. As I understand it the way their breathing and lungs work makes it deadly for them. Aside from that as long as it's not proven safe I don't feel like taking unnecessary risks when multiple safe materials are available. Manufacturers claiming their product is safe when it isn't has probably been a thing before the first factory and will still be a thing after I'm gone.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#377

Post by beryilma »

caseyy wrote: post #94

Under $100: - A dumbphone. Even if I’m not using it anymore, it has shown me what life I could be living without distractions. My anxiety and stress levels went down from about the second day using it, I became much more aware of my emotional state and the environment around me, it was a noticeable shift. I no longer buy the arguments that we can control our smartphone addictions with will. The technology is too opti…

What are the dumb phone options in the US? I want to get one.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#378

Post by dangus »

blitzar wrote: post #249
keiferski wrote: post #221

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dentists pretty much universally recommend electronic toothbrushes, in my experience.

More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette.

A very disingenuous comparison.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#379

Post by voisin »

neverartful wrote: post #354
smackeyacky wrote: post #275

Under $1000: A MIG welder with gasless wire (decent quality). It's like being in control of actual magic. Under $100: cheating a bit, a Corsair K95 RGB keyboard from the local tip shop. Amazing to type on.

Welding is a hobby I picked up a couple of years ago. It is indeed like magic!

How did you pick it up? I am interested.
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